“What’s for dinner?” That always seems to be the question, yet with a little prep you can have a week’s worth of meals at your fingertips! Don’t get caught at the end of the day without a plan. Cooking a delicious, healthy meal shouldn’t be overwhelming and frustrating. If you’re looking for a low-stress cooking solution, in less than an hour, you can prepare a whole weeks’ worth of meals ahead of time, and freeze to pull out each evening for a homemade meal in minutes. To simplify even further, take advantage of Albertson’s Fresh Cuts and Butcher cuts; which really take the work out of meal prep with affordable fresh and convenient ingredients. Pre-chopped fruits, veggies, meat and seafood can cut your cooking time in half, even fourths – leaving you ready and on your way to tackle that homemade meal – healthy in a hurry!

Using the proper freezing techniques, can really make a difference in the flavor and texture of the finished dish. Check out these important facts and tips for successful freezing:

Food must be at room temperature before freezing.

Don’t overload freezer.

Do not put a cold glass or ceramic dish in a hot oven as the dish may possibly break.

When the power goes out, if your freezer is unopened it’s full and well insulated — foods will stay frozen from around two to four days.

Using proper plastic freezer containers or freezer plastic zip top bags is very important to avoid freezer burn and prolong freezer shelf life – freezer storage containers and wraps must be moisture proof and airtight.

Allow room for food to expand as the food freezes.

Here are 5 great meals you can fix & freeze for easy (and tasty) meal planning:

Salmon with Spinach and Feta Stuffing

This quick-to-prepare salmon recipe will wow your family into salmon lovers.
Get the recipe here.

Chicken Fajita Pizza

Fajita and pizza together in one recipe can only mean instantaneous deliciousness. The Fresh Cuts fajita tray gives you the health benefit of red, yellow and green peppers.Get the recipe here.

Whether you are trying to implement more veggies into your family’s diet or looking for ways to use all the zucchini ready for picking in the garden, we’ve got a variety of recipes that you’ll want to try out! Need a little help picking out a zucchini from the store or knowing when to pick it from your garden? Check out our tips below.

How to pick out a zucchini at the store: Choose a zucchini that is medium in size, no longer than 6 to 8 inches. Make sure it’s firm and free of any knicks and cuts. If you see tiny hairs on the zucchini, don’t pass it by, it just means it’s really fresh. Once you get it home be sure to store it tightly wrapped in the fridge for no longer than 5 days.

When to pick your zucchini from the garden: Zucchini’s grow fast, so be sure to keep an eye on them! They’re ready to pick when they are 6 inches long. Don’t fret, if they get larger they are still edible, you’ll just have larger seeds and the flesh won’t be as tender. When picking your zucchini’s don’t forget to check under the big leaves, some might be hiding under there!

Zucchini Tots

We’ve got something kid friendly here! A little twist on the tater tot is sure to appease any palate. Get the pinned recipe here.

Zucchini Butter

It’s always good to take your butter to the next level. Enhance the flavor and get a gorgeous green butter at the same time! Get the pinned recipe here.

Zucchini Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Oodles of noodles! Avoid the carbs with these zucchini noodles. Get the pinned recipe here.

Layered Zucchini Parmesan

Craving chicken parmesan but it’s “Meatless Monday” in your house? Whip up this recipe, it’s much easier than chicken parmesan! Try Get the pinned recipe here.

Zucchini Cornbread

Nothing like bread straight out of the oven! Top it with the zucchini butter from up top and you are sure to get your full servings of vegetables! Get the pinned recipe here.

Fresh Corn, Zucchini and Tomato Salad

The perfect light salad for a hot summer day. Get the pinned recipe here.

Flourless Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oat Brownies

Ready for dessert? Yes, you can satisfy your chocolate craving and vegetable daily intake in the same dish! Get the pinned recipe here.

Nothing says “Summertime” quite like a picnic! Take advantage of these warm summer nights and have dinner outside with the family this week! Here are some DELICIOUS dinner options that are perfect for a portable meal.

Ham & Cheese SlidersThese sliders will win over everyone in the family! Get the recipe here.

Mediterranean Zucchini & White BeansHere’s a tasty recipe that will help you eat all that zucchini you’ve been growing this summer! Get the recipe here.

Apple-N-Cheddar Tuna PitasPitas are the perfect delivery device for summertime sandwiches! Get this recipe here.

Basil Pesto with Potatoes and Green Beans PastaThis delicious dish will be a new family favorite! Get the recipe here.

Classic Potato SaladWhat picnic would be complete without potato salad? Get this classic recipe here.

Portobello burger: This large member of the mushroom family makes an ideal stand-in for the typical hamburger fare. Use your favorite marinade or simply brush with olive oil and seasonings, then place on the grill until tender. Top with the usual suspects: freshly sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and pickle.

Salmon and corn-on-the-cob: Place salmon fillets in aluminum foil, coat with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper or your own concoction. Close up the foil package and place over the heat source. Corn-on-the-cob makes a tasty side dish. Preboil the corn and then place directly on the grill. Spice lovers may want to coat the cobs with chili powder or Cajun spice prior to cooking.

Too much of a good thing

As you plan your meals, add to the enjoyment by making them as healthy as possible. For example, grilling high-fat meats directly above flame or close to the heat source for a long period of time can create carcinogens (chemicals believed to lead to cancer). To decrease your exposure:

Grill thin cuts of lean meats, poultry, or fish (you might like to try some organic varieties). Quickly sear food and don’t place it too close to the heat.

Consume large amounts of green vegetables. The chlorophyll in vegetables binds with carcinogens during digestion and helps to limit absorption. So, haul out your barbeque along with a healthy serving of greens.

Opt for a gas grill or natural wood briquettes instead of charcoal (and omit the lighter fluid, which contains high levels of volatile organic compounds that can cause smog).

In short, when it comes to healthy outdoor eating, think lean protein with lots of vegetables and fruits. Grill on low heat, but as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Follow these tips to enjoy healthy and fabulous food all summer long.

Kathleen Finn is a freelance writer and marketing consultant in the natural health industry. She wishes the barbeque season was a much longer one.